Step 1: Recall the concept of enthalpy of neutralisation
The enthalpy of neutralisation is defined as the amount of heat liberated when one mole of hydrogen ions (\(H^+\)) from an acid reacts with one mole of hydroxide ions (\(OH^-\)) from a base to form one mole of water under dilute conditions:
\[
H^+ (aq) + OH^- (aq) \rightarrow H_2O(l)
\]
For strong acids and strong bases, this process always involves the same ionic reaction, regardless of the acid or base used.
Step 2: Evaluate the Assertion (A)
Assertion (A): “Enthalpy of neutralisation of a strong monobasic acid with a strong monoacidic base is always –57 kJ mol⁻¹.”
This is
true because both the acid and base are completely dissociated in aqueous solution, and the same reaction between \(H^+\) and \(OH^-\) occurs in every case.
Step 3: Evaluate the Reason (R)
Reason (R): “Enthalpy of neutralisation is the amount of heat liberated when one mole of \(H^+\) ions furnished by acid combine with one mole of \(OH^-\) ions furnished by base to form one mole of water.”
This statement is also
true and correctly explains why the value is constant for all strong acid–strong base reactions.
Step 4: Conclusion
Since both (A) and (R) are true, and the Reason (R) correctly explains the Assertion (A), the correct choice is:
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)